Bridge to Wellness: Farmers markets, a community affair
by Kara Nold
Spring is in the air, and that means farmers markets are drawing near. The start of the farm market season, lasting from May through October, brings a number of benefits for consumers, farmers, vendors, and the community as a whole.
Following are just some of the advantages of shopping at a local farmers market:
- Markets offer a variety of fresh, nutritious, seasonal produce, allowing you a quick field-to-table turnaround.
- You help stimulate the local economy by supporting your local farmers and vendors.
- You can learn tips and tricks for food preparation, recipes, and more from farmers who specialize in particular kinds of produce.
- Market attendance increases the sense of community when you participate in direct interactions with the farmers and vendors as well as other shoppers.
The sense of community stretches beyond just the farmer and vendor interactions. Farmers markets can be an event for the whole family, with an array of options that are fit for all ages. From children’s activities to live music for adults, farmers markets often have something for everyone. Even better, many of these additional activities are offered at no cost to the patrons of the market.
Another benefit of farmers markets is their partnerships with food assistance programs. If participating, these markets are able to accept food assistance such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Many markets also partner with outside organizations to offer hyperlocal food assistance programs. For more information on what food assistance programs your farmers market has, check out the market’s website or visit the Welcome tent for more information.
Try checking out one of the local farm markets, like the Stockbridge Open Air Market, the Stockbridge Farmers Market, or the Chelsea Farmers Market to enjoy all the benefits that come with farmers market season. If you are looking for other farmers markets near you, go to mifma.org/find-a-farmers-market.
This column is sponsored by the Stockbridge Area Wellness Coalition. Kara Nold is a Master of Public Health student at Eastern Michigan University and an intern at Chelsea Hospital’s Community Health Department.
Farm market season, from May through October, benefits consumers, farmers, vendors, and the community as a whole. Image credit: Shelley Pauls on unsplash.com